Simultaneous use of pseudo-random control signals in vibrational exploration methods

Claim 1

A method of producing and processing seismic data by the simultaneous operation, within the same geologic neighborhood, of a plurality of vibrational seismic energy source systems and associated seismic energy receivers, each source system having at least one vibrational seismic energy source, comprising the steps of: positioning a plurality of vibrational seismic energy source systems and associated seismic energy receivers at predetermined locations along at least one selected line of survey within the same geologic neighborhood; constructing a distinctive control signal of non-linear pseudo-random character having predetermined frequency content and time duration for each of a predetermined number of said plurality of source systems, each of said distinctive control signals having the same amplitude spectrum and therefore the same autocorrelation functions; simultaneously operating at least two of said predetermined number of said plurality of source systems, each according to a distinctive control signal; recording all of the returned seismic energy generated by the plurality of simultaneously operating source systems; and, processing said recorded seismic energy so that the seismic data produced by each of the plurality of simultaneously operating source systems is separated by correlation from the recorded seismic energy.

Claim 2

A method of producing and processing seismic data by the simultaneous operation, within the same geologic neighborhood, of a plurality of vibrational seismic energy source systems and associated seismic energy receivers, each source system having at least one vibrational seismic energy source, comprising the steps of: positioning a plurality of vibrational seismic energy source systems and associated seismic energy receivers at predetermined locations along at least one selected line of survey within the same geologic neighborhood; constructing a distinctive control signal of non-linear pseudo-random character having predetermined frequency content and time duration for each of a predetermined number of said plurality of source systems, each of said distinctive control signals having the same amplitude spectrum and therefore the same autocorrelation functions; simultaneously operating at least two of said predetermined number of said plurality of source systems, each according to a distinctive control signal; recording all of the returned seismic energy generated by the plurality of simultaneously operating source systems; and, processing said recorded seismic energy so that the seismic data produced by each of the plurality of simultaneously operating source systems is separated by correlation from the recorded seismic energy.

Claim 7

A method for constructing a distinctive control signal, having predetermined frequency content and time duration, for controlling the energization of a vibrational seismic energy source system having at least one vibrational seismic energy source, comprising the steps of: generating a series of random numbers; and constructing a distinctive control signal comprised of a continuous alternating signal whose amplitude is a function of said series of random numbers.

Claim 8

A method for constructing a distinctive control signal, having predetermined frequency content and time duration, for controlling the energization of a vibrational seismic energy source system having at least one vibrational seismic energy source, comprising the steps of: generating a series of random numbers; and constructing a distinctive control signal comprised of a continuous alternating signal whose amplitude is a function of said series of random numbers.

Claim 9

A method for constructing a distinctive control signal, having predetermined frequency content and time duration, for controlling the energization of a vibrational seismic energy source system having at least one vibrational seismic energy source, comprising the steps: generating a series of random numbers, n f , wherein 0≦n f ≦N; and constructing a distinctive control signal comprised of a continuous alternating signal of predetermined amplitude wherein the phase angle, θ f , of each succeeding frequency of said control signal is a function of said series of random numbers according to the relation θ.sub.f =π(2n.sub.f -N)/N.

Claim 10

A method for constructing a distinctive control signal, having predetermined frequency content and time duration, for controlling the energization of a vibrational seismic energy source system having at least one vibrational seismic energy source, comprising the steps: generating a series of random numbers, n f , wherein 0≦n f ≦N; and constructing a distinctive control signal comprised of a continuous alternating signal of predetermined amplitude wherein the phase angle, θ f , of each succeeding frequency of said control signal is a function of said series of random numbers according to the relation θ.sub.f =π(2n.sub.f -N)/N.

Claim 11

A method for constructing a distinctive control signal, having predetermined frequency content and time duration, for controlling the energization of a vibrational seismic energy source system having at least one vibrational seismic energy source, comprising the steps of: generating a series of random numbers, n f , wherein 0≦n f ≦N; and constructing a distinctive control signal comprised of a continuous alternating signal wherein the ratio of the real, R f , and the imaginary, I f , parts of the amplitude, A f , is a function of said series of random numbers according to the relations A.sub.f =(R.sub.f.sup.2 +I.sub.f.sup.2).sup.1/2 R.sub.f =n.sub.f /N i.sub.f =±(1-R.sub.f.sup.2).sup.1/2.

Claim 12

A method for constructing a distinctive control signal, having predetermined frequency content and time duration, for controlling the energization of a vibrational seismic energy source system having at least one vibrational seismic energy source, comprising the steps of: generating a series of random numbers, n f , wherein 0≦n f ≦N; and constructing a distinctive control signal comprised of a continuous alternating signal wherein the ratio of the real, R f , and the imaginary, I f , parts of the amplitude, A f , is a function of said series of random numbers according to the relations A.sub.f =(R.sub.f.sup.2 +I.sub.f.sup.2).sup.1/2 R.sub.f =n.sub.f /N i.sub.f =±(1-R.sub.f.sup.2).sup.1/2.

Claim 13

A method for constructing a distinctive control signal, having predetermined frequency content and time duration, for controlling the energization of a vibrational seismic energy source system having at least one vibrational seismic energy source, comprising the steps of: constructing a continuous alternating control signal of predetermined time duration having predetermined frequency content; separating said control signal into a predetermined number of signal segments; and constructing a distinctive control signal by randomly combining end to end said signal segments.

Claim 14

A method for constructing a distinctive control signal, having predetermined frequency content and time duration, for controlling the energization of a vibrational seismic energy source system having at least one vibrational seismic energy source, comprising the steps of: constructing a continuous alternating control signal of predetermined time duration having predetermined frequency content; separating said control signal into a predetermined number of signal segments; and constructing a distinctive control signal by randomly combining end to end said signal segments.